Washington concerned about money laundering and drug lords in BiH!

The United States of America (USA) is concerned about the intensity of money laundering in Bosnia and Herzegovina and believes that authorities and law enforcement agencies must take stronger measures in the fight against this type of crime, according to the latest report by the State Department for 2014, the BiH news agency Patria (NAP) has learned.

Namely, the State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs publishes an annual report on the activities of countries in this area.

The report consists of two parts; the first covers countries' activities in combating narcotics, while the second part addresses money laundering and financial crimes as offenses deeply connected to drug trafficking.

The latest report, as NAP has learned, was published on March 3, and BiH was specifically addressed in both parts of the report. Regarding money laundering, BiH is in the second of three possible categories - among countries that cause concern but are not the worst. After the recent rejection of the adoption of the money laundering law, it is not excluded that BiH could fall into the worst category.

As stated in the report, the State Department monitors not only the legislation of countries under monitoring but also the activities of law enforcement agencies and authorities in applying those laws.

In the second part of the report, which addresses the fight against illegal drug trafficking, the USA states that our country is primarily a transit point for shipments from Southwest Asia heading to Western Europe.

- The capacities of state law enforcement agencies and security institutions are still limited, especially at the state level - Washington states.

The report mentions the claim by the RS police that they increased drug seizures by 30 percent last year. BiH cooperates with international partners and participated last year in an international operation that also included Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Albania.

- Despite positive steps, there have been too few arrests of high-level drug trafficking leaders. There is a perception among some local non-governmental organizations that this is due to their financial power and political connections - the report emphasizes.

Furthermore, the USA notes that they have good cooperation with state police agencies and the Indirect Taxation Authority, although these institutions have problems with funding and staffing. However, they all work together, as stated, to overcome problems and effectively combat local and international drug trafficking.